Weekly Family Newsletter: 9/6/21

Posted September 6, 2021

Dear Commander Community,

My hope for our Commanders as we wrap up our second week of school is that you are all beginning to feel a sense of belonging, have at least one staff member that you feel connected to, are challenged yet supported in your classes, and understand what is expected of you in your classes. I also want to thank those of you who are already getting involved by attending Back to School Night (at least the first hour, since we had to shut down due to rain), athletic events (the vibe in the gym during Thursday night’s volleyball game was electric), and who attended the Club Fair to sign up for a club on Friday during lunch. Getting involved is such a great way to make the most of your high school experience!

On Tuesday during advisory, students attended their first class meetings to meet their class sponsors, Student Council, to gain a greater understanding of graduation requirements and to get more acquainted with the Future Center and our Career Connect Program. We will post these decks in this folder and on our website for easy access. 

We are committed to living our P.R.I.D.E. values and creating experiences and revising policies that promote equity and inclusion. Our new dress code allows our students the freedom to express their individuality and culture as long as they are not promoting drug or gang culture or wearing clothing with inappropriate language. We are also allowing our students to keep their phones on or near them. Please help us to teach our students healthy phone usage habits by refraining from texting and calling them during class, as phone use will only be allowed in class for academic purposes. Students will be held accountable for arriving on time to each class, please refer to the tardy policy and bell schedule for details on how to be on time.

Please join us for the second Commander Conversation of the school year from 5 -6 pm virtually HERE. This week, we will discuss the Signs of Suicide and what it means to be a Title 1 school. Remember, there is no school today so that our community can rest and relax in observance of Labor Day. 

UPDATES

  • Back to School Night Videos: For those of you who didn't make it to Back to School Night in the first hour before it was cancelled or simply would rather participate virtually, you can access teacher's pre recorded videos here to get a better understanding of how your student can be successful in their classes. 

  • Student Parking Passes: Students can purchase parking passes for $20 through our school treasurer. In order to purchase one, students will need to bring their license as well as proof of valid registration and insurance.

  • Lockers: If you still wish to request a locker, you may do so by visiting Ms. Ambrosia in the main office during lunch or your off periods. 

  • Free and Reduced Lunch: Although school lunch is free for all students this year, it is very important that all families complete the Free and Reduced Lunch application here even if it is just to opt out of giving this information. These applications help our school maintain our Title I status and secure the funding we receive for maintaining this status. To learn more about our Title I status, please join us this Wednesday for our Commander Conversation meeting at 5 PM.

  • JFK's Commander Conversations (Formally known as Town Hall): JFK's next Commander Conversation of the year is on September 8th at 5 PM and can be accessed here. We will be covering suicide prevention as well as our Title I status.

  • JFK is Hiring: Our School is in need of more custodians! Custodians work under the direction of the Facility Manager and/or Assistant Facility Manager, cleaning the facility and performing grounds work in accordance with DPS guidelines. If you are interested in applying and helping to make our school beautiful, please email antonio_reveles@dpsk12.org.

  • No Hate Tour Event: We are proud to announce we will be hosting the No Hate High School Tour on Thursday, September 16th. This event is an incredibly impactful educational program that uses the energy and excitement of action sports to deliver critical bullying prevention tools, techniques and information to students in a relatable, peer-to-peer manner. These celebrity BMX athletes will speak directly to the students about their own experiences with bullying (both online and offline) while offering advice about overcoming obstacles, being an ally, inclusion, kindness, surrounding yourself with positive influences, problem solving, and other important subjects that resonate with kids during a time when so many people are suffering from mental health issues.

  • Listening and Learning Session: The goal of the Listening and Learning Tour with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marerro is to allow him the opportunity to connect with students, families and communities – especially those who have been unheard in the past. Dr. Marrero is joining the Commander Community to listen and learn from YOU during our Commander Conversation on September 22nd at 5PM on the JFK Blacktop. We hope you will join us for this amazing opportunity to have your voice heard by our Superintendent!
GET INVOLVED

Homecoming Week starts on Monday, September 20th. Homecoming dance tickets can be purchased that week on Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st in the main office with Ms. Marylou, the school treasurer. The dance will be held on the blacktop and in the gym.
 
RESOURCES
  • Our school nurse created a virtual health office containing links to lots of different information. Click on LINK for helpful resources.
  • Here is a link to a list of various food assistance resources around Denver!
  • Here is a link to information on Free Covid Tests.
  • Here is the link to access DPS Coronavirus Resources. 
  • Here is the Southwest Denver Free Activities Calendar
 
 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO GET INVOLVED
  • Commander Conversation virtual Town Hall on 9/8/21 from 5-6:00 virtually HERE. Attending the Commander Conversation nights give our families an opportunity to learn more about what is happening at Kennedy and to ask questions and give feedback.
  • Are you interested in joining the Collaborative School Committee to give input on school budget, personnel, school goals and the unified improvement plan, and increasing enrollment? Email me at tiffany_almon@dpsk12.org.
  • Want to join our Parent Teacher Student Association, the Commander Connection? Email our Communications Specialist, Laurentz Gilmore at laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org.
  • Want to be involved in making decisions in regard to our English Language Acquisition programming? Join our ELA – Parent Advisory Committee by emailing laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org. See HERE for more information regarding the ELA – Parent Advisory Committee. 

 
 
HEALTH AND SAFETY

If students are masked and vaccinated while at school, students only need to quarantine if they start experiencing symptoms. Staff and students should monitor who they are in close contact with when masks are off, especially during lunch time. Eat outside whenever possible. See COVID-19 Exposure decision tree here for more information.

Please note, students are not required to get vaccinated to return in person. However, we highly encourage our students to get vaccinated. If we can continue to increase the number of people aged 12 and older who get the vaccine, we can get closer to herd immunity, and resume the fun activities that make life as a high school student so memorable. Check out this information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination and the sites located all-around Denver. 

Please read this information from our Superintendent, Dr. Marrero, for details about vaccinations, mask guidance, and safety measures.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
  • 9/8 — Virtual Commander Conversation
  • 9/16 — No Hate Tour Event
  • 9/20 —  Homecoming Week
  • 9/22 — Listening and Learning Session with Dr. Alex Marrero
  • 9/24 — Homecoming Parade

    For more information on any of these events check jfk.dpsk12.org
   EVENT CALENDAR

 

HELPFUL LINKS

JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

2855 S. LAMAR ST. DENVER, CO 80227